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Lost in London: seven young people from Limerick found sleeping rough under Kilburn railway bridge
THE forgotten Irish in London are again becoming a reality in 2010, with a new generation of Limerick people "slipping through the cracks" while in pursuit of a better life.
The London Irish Centre has confirmed to the Limerick Leader that seven people from Limerick were recently found living under a bridge in London. But they refused the offer of repatriation – paid for by the centre – to come home.
The Minister for Overseas Development, Peter Power, and Cllr Jim Long are now working with the relevant bodies to improve the plight of Limerick people who find themselves homeless in London.
The five men and two women, all under the age of 20, recently approached the centre having found themselves unemployed after working for a short period.
The centre advised the group on all options open to them, including repatriation, but the offer was refused three months ago, it has emerged. It is understood they are no longer sleeping under the bridge in Kilburn, but their current whereabouts are unknown.
It is believed the group may have come over on the promise of work, but having found themselves unemployed after mainly working on building sites, were unable to secure social housing in London.
The London Irish Centre stressed that this case was not representative of all those who approached the centre.
But Con Dee, chairman of the Limerick Association of London, said situations such as this "happens all the time, but is just not highlighted".
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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